Evaluating a Spanish Translator Certification Program

Spanish translator certification programs are becoming more and more prevalent as more and more people realize the importance that Spanish translation plays and will continue to play now and in the future. In order to take advantage of all the opportunities brought about by an increase in Spanish speakers, those with a solid grasp of English and Spanish are taking advantage and looking for ways to become translators.

In order to better their prospects for getting business, translators often turn to Spanish translator certification programs to prove their abilities to future clients and employers. Spanish translator certification programs take many forms, but most are geared towards helping you pass various certification tests given by various translation organizations.

The translation industry, at least in the United States, is not governed as tightly as other industries, such as law, medicine, or accounting, and so a lot of confusion has arisen over time about what it really means to be certified as a translator. For other industries like the ones I just mentioned, there are national standardized tests that are rigidly controlled, and these tests must be passed before a person can be employed legally in that industry.

Translation is different. Because there is no body that has the legal right to enforce translation standardization, many people become confused with all the noise from various organizations offering their version of a Spanish translator certification program. Not only can it be confusing to (would-be) translators, but it is also confusing for potential clients.

So what should you look for if you become interested in taking part in a Spanish translator certification program? Well, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is that although there is no federally recognized organization for governing translators in the U.S., there is a national organization that offers tests for translator certification. This organization is called the American Translators Association (ATA) and is generally recognized by most translators as being the de facto organization for translator certification in the United States.

Most Spanish translator certification programs, therefore, try to give translators enough knowledge and experience to be able to pass the ATA certification tests. There are other organizations throughout the world that offer translator certification, and in order to find them you can do a search for the country you are interested in.

If you are want to become an ATA certified translator, my suggestion would be to look for a Spanish translator certification program that will give you the best opportunity of passing the tests given by ATA. These programs can be offered as university degrees, night school classes, or even online courses. Whatever the method, becoming certified takes a lot of study and a lot of practice, but can reap big dividends throughout your translation career.